Justin Timberlake Apologizes for His 2000s Beatboxing Era

Justin Timberlake, 45, told fans he regrets his habit of beatboxing mid-song after a social media creator's video reminded the internet of the era, according to Page Six. Timberlake commented directly on the video, which was posted Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, admitting he regrets some of his past "ambitions."

What Did Justin Timberlake Say?

Timberlake responded in the comments section of a video from Instagram creator Hannah Young, who posts under the handle @uhhuhhannah, Page Six reported. His comment did not deny the beatboxing happened. Instead, he asked for forgiveness, telling fans to excuse what he called a regrettable phase of his career, per the outlet.

What Is the Beatboxing Era Fans Are Talking About?

The moments in question happened during live shows and awards broadcasts in the 2000s, when Timberlake would break from a song's lyrics to make percussion sounds with his mouth, Page Six reported. Photos accompanying the Page Six story show him performing in Belgium and Dublin, Ireland, in 2003, both cited as examples of the period fans are referencing.

Young's video laid out the pattern fans remember: "There was a moment in time where that man would be in the middle of a song and just... boots and cats, boots and cats," she said, according to Page Six. She added that no one in the room ever stopped him, even though professional studios and bands had real drums available. "Nobody questioned it," Young said. "Nobody said, 'Justin, you know, we have drums. This is a professional recording studio. There are instruments available to you.'"

Who Started the Conversation Online?

Young is the creator who revived the topic. In her video, posted Sunday, she argued fans never pushed back at the time because they liked it. "You gave that man a microphone, and there was always a chance he was about to go, 'Boots and cats, boots and cats.' And we liked it. That's what I need us to sit with," she said, per Page Six. Timberlake's own comment on the clip is what turned Young's observation into a story about the singer himself.

Has Timberlake Addressed This Before?

According to the Page Six report, Timberlake has previously called the same period "slightly regrettable," meaning Sunday's comment was not the first time he has acknowledged the beatboxing habit publicly. The new remark went further, with Timberlake directly asking to be forgiven rather than just labeling the era regrettable.

By the Numbers

• Timberlake is 45 years old, per Page Six.
• The performance photos cited by Page Six date to 2003, in Belgium and Dublin, Ireland.
• Young's video was posted Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026; Timberlake's comment surfaced in coverage published Oct. 6, 2026.

What Happens Next?

No further statement from Timberlake beyond the comment has been reported. Page Six's story remains the sole public account of the exchange as of publication.